Hi {{firstName}},

You took the leap! You registered for Women Swimmin' & Go the Distance for Hospicare, and now the fun begins! You can see your progress and edit your page at {{participantUrl}}.

Share the fun and invite your friends to join you. Share on social media. Don't forget to join the Women Swimmin' Facebook Group for all the latest news and tips!

…and most importantly - Have fun!

Important Dates

Pod Requests Announced: June 12th, 2026

Pod request, cut off date, & Minimum Fundraising Due: July 14th 2026

Packet Pick-up (Swimmers & Go the Distancers)
Location: Hospicare 172 E King Rd., Ithaca NY 14850

Tuesday Aug 4, 2026, 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Tuesday Aug 4, 2026, 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday Aug 5th 2026, 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 am

Paddler & Boater Meetings (Paddlers & Boaters)

Mandatory Power Boater/Wave Runner Meeting

Date: Wednesday, August 5, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Location: Ithaca Yacht Club

Mandatory Paddler Meeting

Date: Thursday, August 6, 2026
Time: KST arrive at 6:00 for 6:15 pre-meeting, support paddlers arrive at 6:30 PM for sign-in, meeting begins promptly at 7:00 PM and ends by 8:30 PM
Location: Boynton Middle School Auditorium (1601 N Cayuga St, Ithaca, NY 14850)

*** See the paddler & boater information page on the website for other training and meeting dates***

Prizes

There are few different kinds of prizes for Women Swimming & Go the Distance for Hospicare Participants.

Incentive Prizes

These are prizes participants receive upon reaching certain fundraising milestones ($600 & $1200). In previous years prizes have included tote bags, glasses, towels, sweatshirts, and more. When this year’s prizes have been identified they will be announced on the Women Swimming’ FaceBook page and posted on the prize page of the website.

Fundraising & Other Fun Event Day Prizes

Every year the top fundraisers of every category (swimmers, go the distances, paddlers and boaters) receive prizes donated by area businesses This year we added a few new categories:

Top 3 first year swimmer fundraisers
Top 10 fundraisers (Lake Swimmer and Go the Distance combined)
Top 3 paddler/boater fundraisers
Top first-time paddler/boater fundraiser
Top 3 greatest number of donors
Top fundraising team
Best pod/team swimsuits/swim caps
Most epic/creative go-the-distance activity
...and 3 volunteer recognition prizes (raffle-style)

You can opt out of either or both (if you didn’t opt out open registration and you want to please email womenswimmin.org)

This Year's Swim

NEW LOCATION

We heard from the folks at Bolton Point, our usual starting point since 2015, that due to potential construction we will not have access to the 'traditional' swim entry point this year. As a result the party will be hosted at Myers Park and the swim will be between Camp Comstock on the Western shore of Cayuga Lake to Myers Park on the Eastern shore. Swimmers will park at Cass Park (time of arrival will be in the packet - see packet pick-up) and from there be transported to Camp Comstock to start the swim. All volunteers, paddlers, and boaters will park and meet at Myers park - unless it is otherwise communicated.

Bad Weather/ Choppy Water Plan

Last year, due to wind and choppy water in the early hours of the swim, we ended up pivoting to an alternative swim. This is always a possibility (as is changes to the swim due to algal blooms, air condition, and E. coli). We recieved a lot of great feedback and are updating out alternative swim plans. These plans will be shared with you prior to the swim - though we may not know if we need to implement it until swim morning. Please be sure to check the front page of womenswimmin.org, our Facebook page & group, and/or your email swim morning for any swim change announcements (please tell any friends or family who will be coming to support you to monitor the website and facebook as well that morning)

Teams vs. Pods

Teams are fundraising teams and have nothing to do with who you are assigned to swim (or paddle) with, people create teams to honor a loved one, through their place of work, etc... (the top fundraising team(s) receive prizes). Teams can include anyone who is fundraising as a part of Women Swimmin' & Go the Distance for Hospicare (swimmers, go the distancers, paddlers, and boaters!)

Pods are who you swim (or paddle with) and while we try to keep people in the same team together this cannot be guaranteed, in late June swimmers will recieve a 'pod request' email - this is where you would identify who you want to swim with (paddlers are given the opportunity to indicate swimmers they'd like to paddle for during registration). This year's pod request opens 06/12/2026 and closes Tuesday 07/14/2026.

What to Have for Swim Day

Swimmers

Paddlers & Boaters

A personal floation device (PFD). Your PFD must be securely fastened (fully buckled or zipped) at all times when you are on the water.
A spare PFD or throwable flotation device, secured to the deck of your craft to throw to a swimmer in distress.
The designated 2026 Women Swimmin' baseball hat at the event. The hat identifies you as a registered participant and must be worn.
A whistle attached to your PFD (for those without one, we’ll provide the whistle at the Mandatory Paddler Meeting).
On your paddle craft or boat, you should have sunglasses, sunscreen and water.
Safety Information for Women Swimmin'
We also encourage paddlers and boaters to bring snacks for while on the water.

*******

If you have any questions at any time please don't hesitate to reach out to Dana at womenswimmin@hospicare.org

Swimmingly,
Dana and the Women Swimmin' & Go the Distance for Hospicare Team
womenswimmin@hospicare.org

2026 Women Swimmin' & Go the Distance for Hospicare

2026 Women Swimmin' & Go the Distance for Hospicare

Fundraising Tips and Info Links for 2026!